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There's been a huge movement within the US about not using plastic straws anymore and a lot of restaurants will only give you a straw if you ask. It hurts animals (if curious look up turtle with straw stuck in nose on youtube) and creates a lot of waste; 390 million straws go into the trash per day in the US.
I totally agree, those paper straws are quite useless; some places have started using bamboo or corn straws and they are better/don't start to degrade while drinking, but they still can't be used more than once. People in my city that prefer straws have purchased their own re-usable ones and throw them in their purse (wrapped up) or some people buy the biodegradable ones.
Thanks for the heads up! Especially since while it can seem a bit silly or a personal preference, for a lot of people with disabilities or old age it can be hard to drink straight from the glass and they need a straw. Also, I personally just like having one to mix my drink around- we went on Norwegian over the summer and they still had the straws, but we're looking at doing another one with my family and I'll def have remember your post and bring the straws along for my parents!!!
First, I love Iowa. What a great place to live. I used to travel there on business for years. Greatest porkchops in America. I am going to give you some advice. It will accomplish some of what you are looking for as a goal. It will not be perfect advice.
I have traveled exactly the way you are traveling. In fact, I have travelled for over 40 years. Lots have changed in those 4 decades. When I cruise, I am very specific. I take either and uber or super shuttle from the airport to my hotel. In the past, I would try getting one source just like you are suggesting. It became much easier just to handle the ground transportation individually.
Suggestions:
From Airport to Hotel: Uber or Super Shuttle.
Choice of Hotel: A hotel close to the port of departure. I have used both Priceline and Hotels.com as my source. I usually do those hotel reservations early and do a nice hotel if I come in in the afternoon. If i come in at night, I go cheaper because all I need is a bed.
Restaurant the Night Before the Cruise In Miami: Since as indicated, I fly in the night before the cruise departs, I also book the Capital Grille since it is so close to the hotels near the port.
From Hotel to Port: The hotel can handle this or you can again call Ubers. Since you are so close to the port, the hotel has taxis usually waiting out the front door.
What I just laid out is exactly what I am doing for my cruise in November. It is what I did for my last cruise a few years ago pre-covid.
I promise it is super simple and really pretty stress free. Cruise well.
Good callout! Definitely this ↑
Subjectively, I don't like lanyards - I prefer the card leash like they give you at casinos. I clip it to my belt loop and that way I don't forget my card, but it's also attached to me without being on my torso.
https://supportforums.cisco.com/document/75221/wireless-sniffing-using-mac-os-x-106-and-above
http://osxdaily.com/2008/01/17/how-to-spoof-your-mac-address-in-mac-os-x/
Fuck it, info wants to be free. You'll probably not end up doing it regardless. I urge you not to do this, I'm not liable for any damages to you, your immortal soul or cats that result from reading these links.
I got this thing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005AIIPLS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_E0MSQDJAZFV58M1Y01FE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I love it because it is anti-theft and big enough for the day trips into port, without being big and clunky. Big plus, it was only 30.00 but good quality!
It can be difficult to find a good one. The one I use doesn't have the breakaway safety clasp, but it does have a quick-disconnect for the end piece so I don't have to keep taking it on and off over my head. I actually bought it at the little souvenir stand in front of the Carnival berth at the port of Long Beach for $10.
Things to consider:
They have to swipe the card, so it is more convenient to have a clasp you can hook the card to than a pocket to take it in and out of. But a nice waterproof pocket can be handy for other things like cash or receipts.
A safety breakaway will help protect you if your lanyard gets caught on something (my lanyard is missing this)
A detachable hook means you don't have to keep taking your lanyard off over your head, or trying to bend down at your door to unlock it
The material it is made of will matter. Mine is a flat nylon feeling material and can chafe when it is wet. Something made of a natural material like cotton may not.
Here is a link for an Amazon listing that looks good $15 for 5 of them. https://www.amazon.com/Lanyards-Detachable-Resealable-ID-Specialist/dp/B0178IZVO6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1515513444&sr=8-7&keywords=cruise+lanyard
My favorite is Princess for Alaska. They do more cruises into Glacier Bay, which I think gives the best views. I found a well written summary of some of the choices here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g28923-i349-k3818607-All_about_Alaska_cruising-Alaska.html
I can answer #3. Hot. It will be hot. We did this itinerary last November and it was quite warm. 85 degrees warm. June will be scorching. Merida is the closest city to the port of Progreso.
What you need is called an open jaw ticket. You fly from ORD to VYR, and then from ANC back to ORD. You can use the web site called ITA matrix to look at possibilities. https://matrix.itasoftware.com/ Once there, select multi-city
While I haven't yet been on a cruise, we have one scheduled in March. Everything I have read recommends to bring a fan for the cabin, especially if you are in an inside cabin as there may be limited airflow. I just bought this one off of amazon and it seems to push quite a bit of air through for it's size. I bought this one due to size and shape in terms of ability to store in my luggage. I also bought some lanyards to hold cruise passes, copy of passport, etc. from Amazon as well as a power strip. Just make sure if you bring a power strip that it does not have a surge protector built in to it, as it will get taken when they inspect your luggage. Those are the few things I have taken away from the articles I've read from first time cruiser recommendations.
I'd look for one that has UL markings (UL Listed or UL Certified) because they've been tested by Underwriters Laboratory for safety.
See here for an example:
https://www.ul.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ul_markshub_hero_banner_680x285.png
You can even sort by UL Listed cords at some websites like Amazon or HomeDepot.
This one is cheap but is still UL Listed.
https://www.amazon.com/GoGreen-Power-GG-13002MS-Outlet-Strip/dp/B00NY45N5G
Just one example...you could find plenty others.
Frankly though, it has less to do with the power strip/extension cord and more how it's used. They have to be allowed to dissipate heat which many people don't think about. You should never leave a cord coiled or wrapped up tightly and you definitely shouldn't cover it with anything. Let's just say you leave one coiled up and throw dirty laundry over it...the heat running through the cord has nowhere to go so the laundry will heat up and can ignite if it reaches the right temperature. I've seen it plenty of times unfortunately.
We just got back from a cruise and loved having our snorkel gear in Cozumel. We used this from Amazon but there are several like it. Easy to pack and not that heavy to carry.
WildHorn Outfitters Seaview 180 Degree Panoramic Snorkel Mask- Full Face Design,Panoramic Navy Blue/Gray,Large/Extra Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K3Q178O/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_QnreDbN1TZZ46
First, I think there is confusion over the term VPN here. Some use a VPN service to connect to their home or corporate networks (just like they're in the building - even when across the world). Others use anonymized VPN services like Private Internet Access to ensure that any otherwise non-encrypted traffic is encrypted.
There have been times on various types of restricted networks (ships and elsewhere), that using certain types of encryption make it hard for the network to filter requests from going out to the internet. I'd bet that most lines now use deep-packet inspection or other methods to prevent this, though I have seen it work to bypass some QoS (quality of service) restrictions.
In short however: No, I'd not bet on anything like this working.
Based on our experience sailing Scandinavia/Russia I'm not so sure the on-board internet package is going to be up-to-snuff when it comes to streaming HBO video. If you absolutely have to watch it as soon as possible I'd just wait until the next port call, find a place with solid wifi and stream it there. Depending on where your HBO home subscription is (i.e. if its in the US) you will also probably need a VPN service of some sort (example: NordVPN) to "spoof" a U.S. IP address, otherwise HBO GO and other services like that are blocked from non-U.S. IPs.
I'm in a similar situation - I'm off to Bulgaria for a few weeks and am more than likely going to have to buy a VPN service in order to keep up with my precious GoT. :-)
Grand Cayman was our favorite! Definitely do the jet ski tour to stingray city! Check out two companies and book outside the cruise to save some $$
First one is Fat Fish Adventures that was highly rated but I needed up giving them the wrong dock time! I confused two dock times from our trips. I called them at like 6am before we docked in Grand Cayman and unfortunately they were sold out of the early time slot. They recommended the other company "Action Watersports". We got a refund.
Action Watersports was the best excursion we went on for the WHOLE cruise! We met by the church next to Blue Iguana (there will be other cruisers with you as well) and they had super clear instructions on where to meet. It's a 5 minute walk from where you dock. My wife and I both got separate jet skis because we didn't want to share :)
Swimming with sting rays, snorkeling (or go to rum city), in beautiful blue and clear water? Do it!!!!! You won't regret it! Also don't be afraid to go full throttle and have some fun!
On the ship.. I enjoyed the Illusionarium show (there is a cost), the adults-only outdoor area after we came back on the ship (Spice H2O), Burn the Floor (if you like watching dance), and the comedy club. Gambling, even if it's just the silly quarter machine can be fun. I really liked all of the couples shows.
For food.. Cagneys is incredible, although there is a cost. I really liked Flamingo Grill, but I am partial to Cuban food. The main dining restaurants were fine, but I really prefer Royal Caribbean's food.
For drinks, we had good experiences at the Sugarcane, Flamingo Grill bar, Spice H2O, and Sunset Bar (smokers go here since there is an outside bar that has a smoking area), but as a non-smoker, I could sit inside or sit away from the smokers. The Atrium bar provided good service, but the drinks seemed weak in comparison.
I loved Magens Bay in St. Thomas. Gorgeous. Serene! Hopefully you can get there in the morning before all the groups show up. Don't book the excursion because you'll get ripped off... you just need to take a trolly / bus thing.
When I was on the Getaway we went to St. Maarten, so no suggestions for Tortola.
For Nassau, we just walked around near port. There is a brewery that has free wifi. It was nice to hang out there after we were hot and sweaty from walking around.
St. Maarten is my favorite Caribbean island because of the excursion we took last time. This company offers a lot of different tours around the island, but the one that my family and I took was an island snorkeling tour.
Basically we got to tour the entire island in a cigarette boat (60+ mph) and made multiple stops to go snorkeling in addition to eating lunch at a beach side hut that was delicious (buy a guava berry drink!). We made 6 stops total. First was snorkeling with sea turtles at the sea turtle sanctuary. Second was snorkeling at a coral reef. Third was on a beautiful small beach island (nude beach, french side). Fourth was lunch as mentioned above. Fifth was the incredible St. Maarten airport (watched a plane take off). Sixth was at a sandbar where schools of fish swam all over you.
The entire trip was really incredible from start to finish. Lunch was included as well as alcoholic drinks on the boat. If you go, request to be in Captain Bob's boat. He really was a great guy, and we cannot wait to take this excursion again next time we go.
I got off the Carnival Breeze about a week and a half ago. We booked a tour through Mark's Tours. We did the Blue Hole and River Tubing, we could have done Dunn's river falls and tubing as well. We opted for the Blue Hole because it seemed like Dunns would have been and was very busy. We will definitely look up Mark again if/when we go back to Ocho Rios.
Link to his Tripadvisor: Mark's Tours
So I just saw on linkedin, there is a guy with the same last name that works for RCI/Celebrity. If you scroll down, there is also an email address to contact him. Not sure if they are related, but it could be worth a shot.
If you want an awesome hike in Skagway, hike up to Lower Dewey Lake. It takes ~1 hour to the lower lake, and 2~ to Upper Dewey Lake. Doesn't cost a penny. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/lower-dewey-lake-trail
I am going on a cruise later in the year. In St Thomas we want to check out this place
As others have already said, multiple SD cards would be the easiest way to do this. And since oyu can get class 10 name brand 32gb sd cards for $8 each, it is a cheep solution.
If you want more toys, another solution would be a wireless bridge. Amazon has one I have used before for under $35. Has USB ports to plug your external drive into, SD card readers for the camera memory, and even has a backup battery to recharge your phone on the go. You plug in the SD card and external HD, connect with your phone, and transfer the data between them no problem.
I have used sims from UK Three in Austria, Switzerland and France and had a good experience. They cover most of Europe and can be purchased from Amazon and set up before you leave. You get a UK based number and we used it with iMessage no problem.
We have been to both glaciers, and the beauty is about the same. Side note: I am a city person, I live in NYC and do not do nature... and yet Alaska is MAGNIFICENT. Make sure you get a balcony. Being able to sit on your private space and watch the scenery go by is one of life's joys.
Bring binoculars so you can see the details. We have a pair similar to these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CR2VPRK?pd_rd_i=B08CR2VPRK&pd_rd_w=NrVO3&pf_rd_p=e75a99cf-81c4-40cb-bc86-6efa5f44f6cb&pd_rd_wg=Aiv72&pf_rd_r=R0YH32C9D3EWZQHWYX90&pd_rd_r=22aa2c01-d15d-41a4-bb39-753372c18dae
I would recommend July 4th over Labor Day. By Labor day a lot of the animals have moved to higher ground. Our wedding was mid Sept and ours was the last cruise of the season and it wasn't as amazing as our mid Summer cruises.
My wife booked us on a twilight whale watching in Juno, and I thought; "that's a stupid idea, we won't get to see much since twilight is only a short time." Yea, I was WRONG! REALLY, REALLY wrong. It was AWESOME. So by going in early July you'll get the most amount of light and animals.
I am happy for you, you're planning a vacation that you can't even imagine how beautiful and amazing it is. YAY for you.
Feel free to ask me any other questions.
Done booking the shows though the RC website. Thanks everyone!
As for the APP is this it? Apple or Android Judging from the reviews it seems abit finicky (requires Wifi), has some discrepancies (Error in schedule listed), and could use some improvements. So is it reliable? (Especially for booking shows, events, or restaurants)
A VPN would allow you to access the content and to appear as if you're in the US. Private Internet Access, NordVPN, or TunnelBear should do the trick, though they might be slow.
If you have any familiarity with BitTorrent, you could probably use that to download the episode some time after it airs. Though I'll leave the specifics to you to suss out, as the process isn't legal.
To my knowledge, RCCL doesn't carry HBO and so won't be streaming Game of Thrones onboard. Like GrrrArrgh mentioned, you could try using a VPN but this may make your browsing even slower. I'm a fan of TunnelBear VPN and Windscribe VPN myself.
From doing a quick Google search, I'm seeing that some cruise lines do block some VPNs so it may not work, but it's worth a shot.
Sneak Alcohol Caps Reseal Your Water Bottle Perfectly 6 caps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008AZJAVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_U4.FCbEWW65Y8
Try these. But a six pack of bottled water, leave them on the rings, remove caps and cut off the ring attached to cap. Dump water and fill with vodka. Then put these caps on. They will look like sealed bottles of water.
Might I recommend Fresh Drops to you? I no longer fear going into the stateroom bathroom after my husband has used it! :-D
Didn't use the call feature but as for reliability -the app was down 3 of 6 days we tried to use it so it wasn't reliable for us. That was on the Breakaway, not sure if the app was shit or network/server issues on the ship.
Android reviewers here might have more insight: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=digiMobile.MainMenu.NCL&hl=en
Same for my wife and I, I always pack an extension cord with my machine when I travel, flat ones, as they fit behind the bed. Some ships only have outlets that are accessible on one side of the bed. Just let the line know you have a cpap, and that it needs distilled water, and they can supply that for you. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0865G6QM5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I like this cord since it has a flat plug as well, and provides additional plugs for other items (aka, phone charger)
Even better is an adapter to make use of the European outlet. There’s one at the desk and another under the head of the bed. These are now standard equipment for all my cruises.
European Plug Adapter, TESSAN... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083S53DZ7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Bring an adapter plug for ac120 with additional plugs or power strip … past two Carnival ships Liberty and Freedom had one plug in the room … and I think one in the bathroom … I used an Amazon three plug with 3 usb Outlets … works like a charm … no issues with room attendant … works with Nespresso Coffee maker we brought also. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KXK94D6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KXK94D6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Agree. We use them for every cruise. Protects the tag from falling off or getting damaged via rain/water.
Here is a link to them.
Looks like Quantum of the Seas is still using satellite but via a new platform from the O3b Satellite Constellation. Their own literature (which is not on their site anymore, but is available via Archive.org) claims 500 Megabit/s links for maritime customers with pretty reasonable ~130ms latency. That's not bad. I'd like to find apples-to-apples comparative information for the existing satellite systems ships use today...
I haven't done this on Celebrity, but I've now done this on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas and on the Carnival Panorama as well as about half a dozen hotel chains.
The items I bring with me are a thin, flexible HDMI cable and a universal remote control. (I also bring a lightning to HDMI adapter for my iPhones and iPads, though you'll need whatever adapter is appropriate for your device.)
The first thing I try is to simply change input. This is usually best done from a "normal" TV channel, so not the briefing channel and definitely not anything interactive as those are closer to webpages than channels.
If that doesn't work, try unplugging the network cable (a ethernet jack, like a wide phone jack, will usually be present near the other plugs) and then unplugging power and plugging it back in. This will send the TV into a boot cycle where it cannot immediately get instructions from the network (because you've unplugged it). You can then use the universal remote to change up the input and return the network plug to its socket. (That last step might not be necessary, but I try not to arouse suspicion from my room steward.)
Regarding your use of DVI, consider getting a cable that terminates to HDMI (you can go from DVI to HDMI quite easily). In my experience, the "PC" inputs on hospitality TVs are sometimes just full-on disabled, not just in the software configuration for a particular chain or cruise line.
Best of luck to you!
Shark Flasks
https://www.amazon.com/Shark-Skinz-Disposable-Flasks-3-Pack/dp/B00428JORQ
5 Disney Cruises (they have no alcohol drink package), had 9 of these filled up, mix in with your toiletries, stuff in shoes covered in socks etc.
Never an issue, they don't look suspicious on x-ray. Saved me $1000's of dollars! :)
Now that we cruise RCL, they have been retiired.
Sadly, you'll have to look at weather.com or Accuweather.com for your port stops to figure out / guess what the weather will be like for seadays. Just saying - if it's raining on day 1 on embark day and on day 3 which is a port stop, then it's not far off that day 2 seaday might be rainy day too.
I was just in San Juan this summer. Castillo de San Cristóbal and Old San Juan are literally within walking distance of the terminal. Maybe a 5 to 10 minute walk tops. The castle has great views of the whole city.
In St. Thomas, it wasn't free or cheap (Nor expensive) but my wife and I went zip lining at Tree Limin Extreme Zip Line Tours and not only did we have an amazing time. The views were second to none. You are literally on a mountain overlooking Magen's Bay. The best pictures from my whole cruise came from that experience.
Take a cab/bus to the Boatyard in Barbados. It's really cheap. You also get a free drink. I wrote a review on it a year ago, just because I'm feeling lazy.
Well, I've only been there once (will be going for the second time this February), but when we went last year we took an excursion to Maya Key. They have a very small beach area with a long dock that you can walk on right out to some really great coral snorkeling. As someone who enjoys snorkeling but is not necessarily a fan of sand, this was perfect. Plenty of wildlife in the water, but then they also have dozens and dozens of rescued animals. Everything from monkeys to tropical birds to sea lions. It was paradise.
This time, however, we'll be going to one of their competitors - Little French Key. Everything I've read on it sounds wonderful.
Grand Cayman! Definitely do the jet ski tour to stingray city! Check out two companies and book outside the cruise to save some $$
First one is Fat Fish Adventures that was highly rated but I needed up giving them the wrong dock time! I called them at like 6am before we docked in Grand Cayman and unfortunately they were sold out of the early time slot. They recommended the other company "Action Watersports". We got a refund.
Action Watersports was the best excursion we went on for the WHOLE cruise! We met by the church next to blue iguana (there will be other cruisers with you as well) and they had super clear instructions on where to meet. My wife and I both got separate jet skis because we didn't want to share :)
Swimming with sting rays, snorkeling (or go to rum city), in beautiful blue and clear water? Do it!!!!! You won't regret it!
I'd recommend Eric's ATV adventures.
My wife and I went on a tour with them about a year and a half ago. Fun way to see the island.
Made the extra effort to come by the cruise terminal and drop off the pictures from our tour since we had to hurry back before they could finish the DVD.
I was in Key West a number of years ago, but I did the White Knuckle Jet Boat Excursion and had a blast.
I went on the NCL 10/16/21 sailing. I brought a full face balaclava (similar to this one) and wore it when we were in front of the glacier and they also allow you to go down to the lower crew deck to view the glacier more closely. It snowed that day and the crew were SO excited. It was fun watching them.
I also had a packable down coat, gloves, hat, light weight Tims and light weight snow boots. I could have left the light weight snow boots at home. I also brought a few pair of light weight long johns.
Fun fact: you'll also see Pacific white-sided dolphins and think they're Orcas but they're not.
yep, used these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X7FZGTV
filled all 10. all 10 successfully made it through. some i took with me on my person through security, some in my carryon through security, and some in my luggage checked with the porters. all 10 got through.
Best thing you can take is one of those shoe hanger/organizer things for your bathroom door.
Like this: https://www.amazon.ca/MISSLO-Organizer-Large-Pockets-White/dp/B01N2JICUMCounter space in bathroom is at a premium and it gives you a great place to store all the 'extra' stuff. ENJOY!
I did the same in early part of this year for my March Cruise.
- Hand Sanitizer, lanyards, plastic luggage tags, the below that I linked, chapstick, and nightlight
I usually bring this. I use this for my laptop etc. Multiport charger
These (https://www.amazon.com/Powerful-Refrigerator-Magnetic-Neodymium-Upgraded/dp/B07QSJ6Q72) were what I took with me on my Alaskan cruise. If you’re going to the Caribbean, you might not need them. I used them for lanyards, masks, hats, rain jackets, micro-puffy jackets, etc. I only wish the hook part was curved just a little bit more. I have no affiliation with the seller or Amazon. Good luck.
Inflate and deflate super easy. Between these and buying our own whole face snorkel mask we had a blast to her last cruise
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VUCSC9I/
Read the reviews to learn how to effectively pack them in your luggage. Then all you need is a reusable cup and soda or juice for mixers.
I sail with my kids, one of whom is 10, and they have a blast. I always sail NCL. We've done the Alaska cruise.
Pro tip: buy a universal remote for the TV in your cabin. Take a Switch (Nintendo) or whatever gaming console your kid likes. Use the remote to change the input source to HDMI. Make sure to take the instructions that come with the remote, in case you need to program it to your TV model.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HSSAZX8
I have that remote and I did not need to program it on my previous NCL cruise. It worked fine straight out of the box.
This is the kind I use, both at home and on vacation. The scent isn't strong after washing and then can be torn to match the size of the load
Bought these for our trip to Alaska three weeks ago. They worked very well, could see everything, they were light, easy to store in a pocket, and best of all wasn't worried about losing them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006U0Z72U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&th=1
Good choices.
We take a four port USB charger instead of the power strip now. It seems anything we need power for is chargers and the USB charger does the job and takes up less space. There are several options to choose from and many less than $20. The one we have isn't offered anymore.
We bought this for our cruise in September: Large Caution Drink Package Sign Magnet for Cruise Door, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise, Princess, Holland America, Norwegian, Celebrity Cruises, Cr https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VXBG9FK/ref=cm_sw_r_apanp_9CXQzwMGNFdBM
I bought a pair of water shoes which are very comfortable, they are breathable and dry easily. Helped me a lot during my trip and fantastic with this pair of water shoes.
Now I want to recommend it to you and hope you like it too！
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081DYPHFR?ref\_=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_ud\_dp\_BK3W5QTDFCEDF4VXAES5
I've always left my phone and room card and glasses and such on a seat at the pool with no concerns. Odds are very, very low of it getting taken. I've left them alone on beaches other places too, though I have a pretty cheap phone and it'd be more of an annoyance than an expense to replace it (though a pretty big annoyance).
I also have a dry bag (this one) and have taken everything with me to the beach when just splashing around. If I was doing diving or snorkeling or something I don't think I'd trust it to stay waterproof for that long, I'd be nervous.
Shambooze - fake toiletries bottles. Never been caught.
I just did this one. You want water shoes that are good to hike in (you're hiking a good 45+ minutes to the top of the mountain before you get in the water) and are easy enough to get sand/rocks out.
This isn't exactly what I have, but same design. I like that I can rinse/shake stuff out of them without having to undo them. Which I feel like I'd have to for some of the more closed in ones. https://www.amazon.com/ATIKA-Athletic-Outdoor-Lightweight-Walking/dp/B08F51LV9N/ref=sr\_1\_15?crid=1MS01R11WXMPH&keywords=hiking+water+shoes&qid=1651611873&sprefix=hiking+water+shoes%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-15
I buy these all the time. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DPAAYO8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They go on sale every once in a while and I always pick up a few spares. They’re more comfortable than flip flops. You can walk long distances in them. You can probably jog in them. They last a pretty long while. There’s a couple models. Some have laces. I prefer the slip ones.
i got these... they're magnetic and rechargeable!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0983DWGZM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is the one I have. They come in a pack of three and are small but mighty. Downside is they require three AAA batteries but they turn off after a short period of time and aren’t used a ton so the battery lasts.
A European power adapter to make use of the 220v outlets at the desk or under the bed. Most phone chargers and many other things are dual voltage these days. I used one like this recently on Carnival:
European Travel Plug Adapter, TESSAN Travel Adapter with 3 USB Charger 3 AC Outlets, US to Europe Plug Adapter, USA to Most of Europe Germany Iceland Italy France Spain (Type C), Travel Accessories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FSTLJGZ/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_7M2QQTXNR93791RABNG6
Can confirm. I'm glad I came prepared for my Celebrity cruise by bringing (one of these things)[https://www.amazon.com/Telescopic-Magnetic-Pick-Up-Grabber-Retrieving/dp/B07HVMVM49/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=telescoping+grabber&qid=1649359387&sr=8-5]. Good luck op!
Get a rechargeable fan for your room.
It's because it has a cord and is considered an extension cord. I have the one below and had no issues. I also leave the original packaging wherever I have it plugged in so the stateroom attendant knows it's not a surge protector.
Sorry I accidentally put an improper link to Amazon. Your post was below mine so I thought you were referring to my post and link but it was removed.
Anyone know if these are allowed: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Charging-Station-Multiple-Tablets-Black/dp/B09DCXZRJS/ref=sr_1_14?crid=1OKCLOCLHLZ5S&keywords=senna+charging+station&qid=1648840742&sprefix=seenda+charging+statio%2Caps%2C464&sr=8-14
Normally I would direct you to the Alchemy Bar, but on the spirit class it is directly in front of the aft MDR and suffers from that. Instead swing by the Red Frog Pub midship. Right in front of the coffee bar, next to the sports bar, trivia right out front and karaoke inside. It is a great center to base your day out of.
The comedy cub is below the main theater at the front of the boat, so with rough seas it can affect people that are prone to motion sickness. If you are going to hit the show make sure you have something to eat first to help settle your stomach.
Looking for a quiet break? There is a quiet loop called Gatsby's Garden around the main theater on Atlantic deck with spots to sit and relax. And lets you stretch your legs without going outside during foul weather. Check it out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD3koDCTxZk
This right here - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WW2VSVV There is only 1 us plug and 1 Eur plug in the cabin. This will not let you plug a 120v appliance in since it is not a transformer, but with the 4 USB plugs and the US adaptors that can take a 120-240 plug like your phone charger or laptop will get you a good number of receptacles.
There are self-serve laundry rooms on every passenger deck. Even if it is a 15 day cruise save yourself a lot of stress by packing light and just planning on washing your laundry at some point.
Honestly, the ship may be older but the design is still once of the best layouts I have ever been on. Easy to walk end to end, no cutoff decks for galleys or MDRs, not too large, everything happens on the decks 3/4 or 9/10. I really want to catch one of this class doing the panama transit one day.
After you check in online, you can print out your check in documents which include boarding passes and luggage tags. If you don't already have them, get yourself some of these to slip the printed tags into. I've cruised twice with Carnival and they did not send us luggage tags! We had to print them ourselves.
I've never gotten a surge protector, sorry--just an extension cord. Usually your stateroom is only going to have one or two usable outlets. This is what I bring:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VH8G1SY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Just make sure whatever you bring doesn't have surge protection. Apparently it's a fire risk on cruise ships.
I normally carry a med/large purse. For the cruise (and other travel) I got a small Travelon cross body. It’s just big enough to hold a few cards, passport, ID, sunglasses, cash, and cell phone. The strap detaches and it’s a cute clutch for dressier dinners onboard. Plus all the regular Travelon safety stuff. I love their bags for traveling.
Travelon Anti-Theft Boho Clutch Crossbody https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07MQY565H/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_S4ZQ7B9CET2Q6FGB46S8?psc=1
We were on Panorama and we saw a family with a super small inflatable pool for their baby. It was super cute and everyone thought it was a great idea. They kept it near the pool but out of the isle. Obviously you they did not fill it up all the way but about 5 of 6 dumps of water from a water bottle. Baby looked to be having a great time and staff loved it as well.
Wife and I thought it was a great way to allow the parents to stay on pool deck but allow for their baby to have some splashing time.
I was searching for or a cute dress for the white party, I'm dissapointed because plus options are so few and far between!
There's a tropical depression that's projected to develop into a hurricane later this week. Bring your rain gear!
The other thing I would recommend -
Skagway, one of the ports you'll probably visit, basically only exists as a cruise ship stop. It's not really an actual town anymore, and I would highly recommend planning an activity when you're there.
Lots of people do the White Pass railway trip, which is apparently fun, but can also be crowded. My wife and I did a Chilkoot Trail Hike and Float, which was exceptional. The hike is fairly mild (I think a bit more then a mile?), if your parents are in normal shape for 60 year olds it shouldn't be a problem. The float down the river is fantastic. We saw a good half dozen bald eagles up close, even more flying around, and lots of other wild life. The guides said they see brown and occasionally black bears a lot too.
In Juneau the Mendenhall Glacier is great to visit. With a small amount of research you can save $$$ by skipping a cruise-provided tour, and just heading into town and buying bus tickets from a vendor, $16 round trip. The visitor center itself is $3, and is very nice. Plan to spend 2-3 hours total getting there, visiting, and getting back, then you can get lunch in Juneau and spend the rest of the time walking around downtown.
Renting a car one way could be pretty expensive. They usually have an extra fee for dropping off at a different location. Usually it's about $50 on top of the rental fee.
I checked this for 2 passengers and 3 pcs of luggage they charged $32 for a shared van. A private car was about $80 (same as a taxi).
Trip Advisor lays out the options pretty well.
EDIT: Yes, spending a couple days there makes the one way rental worth it.
Rum Runners. It sounds like you will need the extra large ones.
Install the carnival hub app. It has all the happenings, the restaurants, their hours, and the menus on there.
You're allowed a bottle of wine per person, in your carry on bag.
Check the forecast for the port and the Bahamas ... I made the mistake earlier this month of packing way too many cold clothes. It was 28 degrees when I left, 81 in Miami and 81 to 89 the whole cruise. For some reason my brain couldn't process that it was going to be warm the whole time.
Get something like this -- once you check in, you'll print your awkwardly sized luggage tags for Carnival to deliver your luggage to your stateroom. The lanyard pouches will nicely hold your room key around your neck when you're out and about.
https://www.amazon.com/Cruise-Luggage-Holders-Steel-Loops/dp/B077MG2WH4/
We have waterproof phone Lanyards too. I also used this. We locked it to the beach umbrella or chair.
I'm going to be taking this mask on my cruise in a few weeks, It's cloth but it also has a KN95 style filter and is form fitting to my face... from the little tag and the articles I guess it filters out up to 0.1 microns which is pretty good? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FXXN7JH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
something like this could work.
Planning on picking these up for myself and my son for our cruise in June
If your itinerary includes Skagway: You can take a nice hike to Lower Dewey Lake that lasts about 2-3 hours. The scenery is exquisite, and it's totally free. The first part of the hike is a bit steep, but once you get up on the ridge, it's an easy walk. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/lower-dewey-lake-trail edit link
We did this cruise on the Magic last year. Instead of Duns River, we went to Blue Hole and Scotties for some Jamaican jerk chicken. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147311-d3738843-r171224039-Liberty_Tours_Jamaica_Day_Tours-Montego_Bay_Saint_James_Parish_Jamaica.html
Going to Mr. Sanchos in October, first time. I've been to Nachi Cocom once and it was raining so I didn't enjoy it much.
Grand Cayman, stingray city is great.
My wife and I took a ride out to the San Gervasio ruins site on our last stop in Cozumel and really enjoyed ourselves. We liked it because it was pretty deserted unlike a lot of the other spots we've been. Aside from right at the entrance, we probably saw fewer than a dozen other people over the course of a few hours. There are a lot of paths to follow (easy, flat walking) through the jungle with huge iguana just chilling out everywhere. The ruins themselves are not huge or imposing, but there are a lot of them spread out over a wide area... exploring them makes for an immersive adventure if you get away from the entrance area. The whole time I was there I kept remarking to my wife how quiet it was. Highly recommended.
Edited to add that we did not book this as an excursion or anything, but rather just took a cab there (about a 20 minute ride from the piers)... we also did not pay for a guide at the park but just paid admission (it's the equivalent of a national park).
Nassau is okay, if you go to the right places.
When my girlfriend and I went, we went straight to the cloisters and had a look around. It was pretty. However, the rest of the city is a shithole, so I completely understand it being on this list.
I found this PDF on Google. It may be out of date, but it will give you a good idea as to what songs will be available.
On the swimsuit question, I bring 2. That way, one can be drying while you wear the other one. Pick up a pack of magnetic hooks. The walls of your cabin are metal and it will give you somewhere to hang damp swimwear.
If you go to Stockholm, it will be much cooler by late September. The median high for that period is in the high to mid 50s, with temperatures in the 40s at night. You have a 25% chance of it raining every day, but not heavy rain.
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Ive gone through Expedia before. They are just like using a travel agent and actually the employ travel agents for changes, upgrades and problems you may encounter while/before traveling. We had a 6 hour delay once, due to plane maintenance. Means we missed the entire first day of our vacation. When we were at hour 3, I called Expedia and they immediately called the airline to find out what was going on and what their plan was going forward; if in the end they couldnt get the plane fixed. The options presented to me,then, were that we could get a full refund for the trip without penalty (which is pretty big right there), or they would give us $600 to wait. We did the latter because we couldnt change our vacation time etc. I think that was pretty good service on a Saturday evening. That said, if you start your Expedia booking through https://www.swagbucks.com/refer/cheapsusan716125 you will be rebated up to 4% of the cost of your trip through Expedia! It's free to join swagbucks and afterward, if you dont want to use swagbucks anymore to shop through in the future (although I dont know why you wouldnt want to get free money going forward too), you can just cancel your swagbucks account after you cash out. Note, your rebate wont be paid to you or eligible for with drawl, to your Paypal account or you to buy gift cards, until your trip is complete. So wait to cancel until after you get your rebate back. Seriously, there are no strings attached and may even want to continue doing your online shopping through them. To me it's a no brainer to get a rebate every time you shop online, FOR FREE! You will be double dipping by getting up to 4% just for using swagbucks to shop and you will also get your Expedia points for booking through Expedia :) win...win!!
Here's Vancouver's forecast... https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/vancouver/v5r/october-weather/53286
Here's LA's forecast... https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/los-angeles-ca/90012/october-weather/347625
Basically chilly in Vancouver, but very nice in Los Angeles.
I'm seeing BDL-MIA for $413.
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https://www.google.com/flights?hl=en#flt=BDL.MIA.2019-11-24*MIA.BDL.2019-12-01;c:USD;e:1;sd:1;t:f
We did 3 days post-cruise in the Miami area a few weeks ago.
As noted ITT, South Beach would be fun as well-- tons of hotels, clubs, restaurants and other things to see in the area. In that area there are other things too like Coconut grove area.
We got a groupon for one of the hotels right on the beach and it wasn't all that expensive. I think it is this one
We also took a bus tour that took us around a few areas and followed up on the same tour with a boat tour around the areas (cruised by the celebrity homes). That was interesting too.
What port are you leaving out of? If you have two full days, Miami will give you plenty to do for two days. Plus you'll be close to your port of departure.
Although this is for Nassau here you can find the averages for that time of the year.
https://weatherspark.com/m/20786/3/Average-Weather-in-March-in-Nassau-Bahamas
As an aside, if you like here’s a referral link that gets you a free physical card, and $10 credit for both you and me (but I still strongly recommend them regardless for the amazing mobile app, immediate disable/re-enable card function, ability to buy stocks, travel insurance, etc).
Google flights are expensive. To find the BEST pricing, you can use tools similar to what travel agents would use.
Personally, I use ita matrix as shown here https://matrix.itasoftware.com/
Do note this will show you the best pricing, but you'll still need to make the purchase through another travel agent or other sites such as priceline.
But that website will give you the best pricing for sure.
A quick Kayak search turned up a seven night cruise out of NY on the NCL Escape balcony room for $1,052/person all in (Sail Away rate). Includes free prepaid gratuities for two passengers and an Amazon gift card with a value up to 10% of base fare ($699/person).
I know the last thing people want to do on vacation is see a nerd museum but The Yoda guy in St Maarten was real fun for sci-fi nerds. only took half an hour or so but very neat.